Uncompahgre National Forest

The Telluride area provides excellent trout fishing for everyone, from a family with children to expert fly fisherman. For fly fishing, local sportsmen recommend an ultralight through medium weight rod. Popular local patterns include Humpy Hopper, Royal Wulff, Mosquito, Renegade, and Irresistible, as well as Nymphs and Streamers.

Lure fishing calls for ultralight rods and reels and four to six pound test lines (lines exceeding eight pounds are not recommended). The lures of choice among locals include Panther Martin, Mepps, Z-Ray, and Roostertails. Bait fishing requires the same tackle and lines as lure fising. The best baits are salmon eggs and worms.

Fall Creek, near Telluride, and Beaver Creek, closer to Norwood just southwest of the Uncompahgre Plateau, are good fishing. Both of these creeks feed in the San Miguel River, where fish are plentiful. Follow the San Miguel and its tributaries, especially the South Fork, from late June through mid-October for great stocks of rainbow, German Brown, native (cutthroat), and brook trout. Another river in the area to feature excellent angling is the Delores River , which lies at the southern edge of the Forest.

Some of the largest lakes in the Forest lie south of Telluride. The most obvious of these for good fishing is the promisingly named Trout Lake, which lies just off of Colorado 145 about 12 miles from Telluride. Also worth visiting are Woods Lake, at the edge of the Lizard Head Wilderness boundary near the Woods Lake Campground, and Alta Lakes, which is adjoined by the more primitive Alta Lakes Campground. Both campgrounds provide more or less immediate access to their adjacent lakes.

Anyone 15 years of age or older needs to buy a fishing license. People under 15 can fish without a license, but they can take only half the limit. If they do buy a license, they can take the full limit. Licenses are available at most sporting goods stores and through state Division of Wildlife (DOW) offices. The DOW also offers a free fishing directory that answers questions about limits and types of bait, as well as fishing limits and restrictions.